The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-16


that it was altogether likely that it was quite A.
bad in other wards but that the attendants did
not report.
Mr.. Morton then took up the bad butter aud
sour bread record for the month OF September
1886, which was nearly as bad as that of TIA
month of August Dr.. Harrison. Mr. Gansn
and Attorney Wesner, as Mr.. Morton entered
upon this fresh installment of stale butter-ona
OF the many paradoxes of the Indi-
interest in the proceedings. and with
considerable alarm came over to the table where
they might see these tel-tale reports. DR.. Har-
rison, in answer to question by MIR. Swift,
tried to beiittle the showing by speaking Of
forty eight wards in the hospital, but Mr.. Swift
held him with firm grip and finally got the
answer that the female department was divided
into twenty four wards which is really one in
excess of the actua! number
Mr.. Morton then read from the reports of the
officer of the day. mems department, for July,
1885, the following record of escaped patients:
July %. D. v. Combs. Martin county eloped
July "a, F. r. B. Holly, Boone county, eloped.
July 81, August Hbhelan Allen county, eloped.
July 80. Francis Lane, Putnam county, eloped.
July ~, Benz. Young, Howard county. eloped
July Is, Q. H. Hyatt. Marion county, eloped.
July L. VIM. Foster eloped.
o Aug. 5, 1856, the officer of the day. besides
AZ marked absent, notes 10 ''eloped," making q
total of absentees of So The record goes on to
show the following .elopments" in August, 1886:
Aug. g. Albert Cole; Aug. 10, David Newess.
Willard Foster; Aug. 10 Samuel Abel. jackson
county, and Henry Smith, Madison county; Aug:
18 b. B. Clifton DeKalb county; Aug. "a, Boyd
Wilson. Miami county. and Aug. 81, Perry
Hodges, Morgan county.
DR.. Harrison was placed upon the stand and
questioned by Mr.. Swift regarding these elope-
ments. He tried to explain that they were not
strictly escapes as most of them were re-
captured before they hardly got of the ground.
The Doctors explanation was not satisfactory.
and he was much ratified when asked by Mr..
a n a w
had never been heard OF afterward He
tried to say that it was part
of his duty to. look after such af
fairs--that was entirely in Superintendent
Fletchers direction. He was asked why he did
not inquire to see whether the attendant who al
lowed him to escape had done his duty or was
negligent. and was not DR.. Fletcher respon-
sible to the board. 81 want to find ont said
the questioner, s.f Dr. Harrison considers it his
duty to inquire into such matters. A patient
escapes and is never returned. Father and
mother. brothers and sisters. perhaps q wife,
want to know what has become of him. This
is dreadful thing"
There was much sqrrming at this point, Dr.
Harrison and Mr. Gapen being joined in their
uneasiness by Representative Niblack and
others. Mr.. Wesner said something about s'the
law not requiring DIR. Harrison to inquire into
such things
Chairman Crosse thought it proper question.
and should be answered
Mr.. Swift do not want to admit for moment
that it is not his duty under the law to inquire to
the attendant.
Representative Grifith-Dr. Harrison las to do
with the employment Of Fletcher and it is his duty to
inquire INTO the matter.
The Doctor finally replied that DR.. Fletcher
had told him he had used every effort to recover
the patient and failed; that no one was to blame
| for it.
| Mr.. Swift-When did he tell you 500
Tho Witness-Yesterday. and once before.
| The committee then adjourned until 7:30 this
| evening.